Low Risk Research Projects

 Low Risk Research
Western Health has established the WH Low Risk Ethics Panel to facilitate the review of low risk research projects. The Office for Research has moved to the online forms introduced by the Department of Health. Therefore the previously used application form has been replaced by the National Ethics Application Form (NEAF) available from the online forms website at https://ethicsform.org/au/SignIn.aspx  and DO NOTUSE the NEAF from the www.neaf.gov.au.  

Therefore to submit a research application to the Low Risk Ethics Panel you will need to complete/provide the following documents for ethics and site approval (one electronic and one hard copy):

1) NEAF on-line form https://ethicsform.org/au/SignIn.aspx
2) Victorian Specific Module http://www.health.vic.gov.au/cchre/applications/applications_victorian_specific.htm
3) Submit a detailed Project Protocol and any other documentation such as:

  • Documents to be given to participants, e.g. letters of invitation, transcripts for telephone contact, questionnaires, patient diaries, etc.
  • Assessment tools
  • Advertising Materials
  • Data Collection Sheets

4) Participant Information and Consent Form (if applicable) WHLREP_PICF_ Internetversion1_28Feb2011.doc (51KB)
5) Site Specific Form for Western Health and authorised Statement of Approval forms for any departments involved in your project.

6) For all Research Involving the Use of Ionising Radiation at least one Radiation Safety Officer Report must be submitted with the application (See guideline (171KB)for details).
7) Complete a Western Health Curriculum Vitae Form for all Investigators/Researchers involved in the Project.
8) Complete a Cover Letter for Ethics Submissions. Ensure this letter is submitted with your application and in the two copies. Please make sure all sections are complete. If a cover letter is not provided, your project will be rejected for at the next meeting.

Before submitting your application, contact the Office for Research on (03) 8395 8074 or ethics@wh.org.au to obtain a HREC Project Number. The HREC Project Number must appear in the top right-hand corner of all hard copies of each component of your application.
Check the LREP Meeting Dates and Deadlines and note that applications submitted after deadline will not be accepted.


Submit the original plus two (2) copies and send to:
Dr Tam C Nguyen
Office for Research
Level 3 Western Centre for Health Research and Education
Sunshine Hospital Furlong Road
St Albans VIC 3021


Please submit the original application and two copies double-sided and collate each set of papers.  
PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL DOCUMENTS PROVIDED IN THE ORIGINAL SUBMISSION ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN THE TWO COPIES.
Submit an electronic copy. Ensure the hard copy and electronic copy are identical and that the electronic copy is labelled in the correct format as requested on the Submission Details web page.